Alright lads. First post, be kind!

So I’m from down south and tbh come from a Union background but always followed League/Wigan, watch all the TV games, and been a long time lurker on the forums.

Thought that last night anything that could go wrong did go wrong, and we blew up spectacularly over the course of 80 mins. Credit to Leeds, defended well and when they had the chance to land the killer blows they did and were worthy winners no question, but let’s focus on Wigan…

I know it’s knockout rugby but the tactics got very conservative, even then we got plenty of go forward but seemed strange to take width and pace off our play and don’t think it helped matters in terms of turning points into pressure.

French’s injury seemed to be a key moment, he hobbled on for a bit but we effectively had no right flank (then had to reshuffle) and though I wouldn’t say the team panicked, definitely became unsettled and scratchy in everything it did. Attack stuttered, discipline went a bit, then the defence, and all of a sudden chasing the game.

Then the red card and you knew the game was up. To be honest we kept going and had some chances and maybe one or two decisions go against, but the damage was done, you knew it.

Do have some general musings/questions as a noob.

The pivots were a massive problem last night. Leuluai was so slow in attack, and retirement is the right call. Smith didn’t have a good game, was snatching at his kicking and passing, but had to do everything in fairness and had switched sides and maybe timings etc. were off. Cust isn’t a top drawer player, but he has a calm head and plays at the line, and he was missed last night. 9 was a massive problem though. I know from reading for years that Powell is marmite and the argument has been done to death, but I’m one of those who doesn’t get it. His qualities are always talked about as defence/leadership/culture etc…. ok great, what about consistent core competencies for a 9? Even at his best he is achingly slow to get the ball away from the ruck, he doesn’t fix or control the defence from the ruck, his passing technique and “snap” is really limited, and he has next to zero running game. As I say I’m a bit of an onlooker I admit, but he’s the first one I’d change and can’t believe Wigan don’t want more of an up-tempo guy who puts pace into proceedings the likes of Field and French etc. can thrive off the back of. Time to get away from the McIlorum/Powell types, in my opinion.

Bateman is another I have issues with, just in that he’s nothing like the player he was before and then in Australia. I admit I only see the TV games and it's not likely a popular view, and the stats arguments always look good for him, but for a senior player reckoned to be one of the best around I always see daft errors or him trying to do too much (leading to more errors) or then last night no discipline. His performances, what I see, aren’t worthy of your marquee player, he’s not even a top 5 performer what I see this year. He must be better.

Think I agree with everyone in that Centre positions must be better. There needs to be a bit more x-factor, oomph, quality, call it what you will. Bigger, quicker, can carry harder, release their winger, any upgrade in these areas would be nice. I’d probably also controversially throw in the second rows into equation here – Farrell and Bateman (despite what I said above) are quality players but I always notice both instinctively like to step back inside and see what develops and both more elusive runners. Some powerhouse wider runner could come from this position as an alternative, but whatever, I think somewhere at 3,4,11, or 12 this would help the team and create even more space (especially in the biggest games, where we have got shutdown a bit) for the back three to do their work.

But anyway, I’ll stop there with the ramblings. A disappointing end to what’s been an encouraging season in terms of an upturn in both results and the rugby being played.

Our passing was too slow and our timing was way off.

Exactly this Stu. Wigan have comfortably had the best attack this year and to suggest we struggle to score based on that one game on Friday is utter nonsense.

On the Lomax kicking it was clear that the coaching staff (or Lomax himself) were targeting Sneyd who has the turning circle of an oil tanker. Brilliantly executed by Lomax without doubt. Not something, I would suggest, that would be so effective against a better, more agile defence.

Congrats on the 4th consecutive final. I have a feeling you'll turn it into the 4th consecutive win.

We certainly owe Leeds. I still have scars from 07, 08, 09 and 11. I’m a Utd fan and Old Trafford was my most hated ground around that time especially given our loss in 2010 against Wigan too!

A lot will depend on the disciplinary. Whilst I will have no complaints if Knowles gets a ban I’m unhappy with the media focus on Welsby. C4- nothing said, Amor and Wilson call it a brilliant shot.

Sky- with JJB as a Leeds employee and O Connor with his son playing for Leeds have magnified it to the point where there is pressure on the RFL now.

All i'm saying is that we should have a few more options in the event our attack (which i consider to be far more effective and more enjoyable to watch) is off-key.

Saints lack much of the creativity and flair we have, but they execute planned moves to perfection every single game.

In game where we are struggling with out timing and/or a key strike player out injured it would be great to have something like that to fall back on. And it takes the focus off the usual suspects/moves.

For example, instead of Field taking the ball out of the back 30 yards out, slide the ball through for him to run onto, a move we have rarely if ever done for the fasted players in the league, or back on the angle to Marshall on the other side.

Well, you have half a point. But you must admit, it would be a novelty if Saints were not presented on TV as the blue-eyed boys?